Separate books were kept for baptism, confirmation, marriage banns, marriage, and burial or death records. However, in smaller areas, all records may be recorded on one register. The entries were normally made in chronological order. In smaller parishes, most of the marriage banns (informaciones matrimoniales) were included in the marriage entry. In larger parishes, these records may be registered separately. In smaller parishes, the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms or even with marriages. In larger parishes, a separate book of confirmations was usually maintained. The records are in relatively fair condition, with the exception of some older records that may be damaged, and therefore hard to read or missing some information. Most of the older records are handwritten in narrative style and follow a common text with some variations depending on the style used by the priest. Newer records are handwritten in formatted registers, and some are even written in ledger style registers.

Separate books were kept for baptism, confirmation, marriage banns, marriage, and burial or death records. However, in smaller areas, all records may be recorded on one register. The entries were normally made in chronological order. In smaller parishes, most of the marriage banns (informaciones matrimoniales) were included in the marriage entry. In larger parishes, these records may be registered separately. In smaller parishes, the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms or even with marriages. In larger parishes, a separate book of confirmations was usually maintained. The records are in relatively fair condition, with the exception of some older records that may be damaged, and therefore hard to read or missing some information. Most of the older records are handwritten in narrative style and follow a common text with some variations depending on the style used by the priest. Newer records are handwritten in formatted registers, and some are even written in ledger style registers.

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For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1909191/waypoints Browse].

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For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1909191/waypoints Browse].

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== Citation for This Collection ==

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The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

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{{Collection citation

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| text=<!--bibdescbegin-->"Mexico, Oaxaca Catholic Church Records", database, FamilySearch ([https://familysearch.org https://familysearch.org]), 2009; from Diocese of Huajuapan, Diocese of Tehuantepec, Archdiocese of Oaxaca, Diocese of Puebla, Prelate of Hautla, Diocese of Tuxtepec, Prelate of the Mixes. Original records are also housed in local parish archives throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. FHL 6,574 microfilm reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.<!--bibdescend--> }}

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Digital images of original records housed at various Catholic Church&nbsp;archive repositories throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.

The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

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{{Collection citation

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| text=<!--bibdescbegin-->"Mexico, Oaxaca Catholic Church Records", database, FamilySearch ([https://familysearch.org https://familysearch.org]), 2009; from Diocese of Huajuapan, Diocese of Tehuantepec, Archdiocese of Oaxaca, Diocese of Puebla, Prelate of Hautla, Diocese of Tuxtepec, Prelate of the Mixes. Original records are also housed in local parish archives throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. FHL 6,574 microfilm reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.<!--bibdescend--> }}

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Digital images of original records housed at various Catholic Church&nbsp;archive repositories throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Title in the Language of the Records

Collection Time Period

This collection of Catholic Church records, such as baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials from the State of Oaxaca includes the years 1703-1964.

Record Description

Separate books were kept for baptism, confirmation, marriage banns, marriage, and burial or death records. However, in smaller areas, all records may be recorded on one register. The entries were normally made in chronological order. In smaller parishes, most of the marriage banns (informaciones matrimoniales) were included in the marriage entry. In larger parishes, these records may be registered separately. In smaller parishes, the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms or even with marriages. In larger parishes, a separate book of confirmations was usually maintained. The records are in relatively fair condition, with the exception of some older records that may be damaged, and therefore hard to read or missing some information. Most of the older records are handwritten in narrative style and follow a common text with some variations depending on the style used by the priest. Newer records are handwritten in formatted registers, and some are even written in ledger style registers.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

"Mexico, Oaxaca Catholic Church Records", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), 2009; from Diocese of Huajuapan, Diocese of Tehuantepec, Archdiocese of Oaxaca, Diocese of Puebla, Prelate of Hautla, Diocese of Tuxtepec, Prelate of the Mixes. Original records are also housed in local parish archives throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. FHL 6,574 microfilm reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Digital images of original records housed at various Catholic Church archive repositories throughout the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Places of origin and residence of the betrothed and sometimes that of the parents

Legitimacy of the betrothed

Sometimes the race of the betrothed

The key genealogical facts found in most burial or death records are:

Date of death or burial

Place of burial or death

Name of the deceased person

Sometimes the names of the parents or the spouse, if the deceased was married

Age of the deceased person at time of death

Place of residence or origin of the deceased person

Sometimes the race of the deceased

How to Use the Records

In most cases, Mexican Catholic parish registers are the only records before 1859 that identify individuals, parents, and spouses. After this date, civil authorities began registering vital statistics (nacimientos, matrimonies, y defunciones) that by law include people of all religions. The information in civil sources confirms and supplements the information in church records. Be sure to search both the parish and civil records after 1860.

Record History

After the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, Catholic priests began going from one place to another baptizing most of the population. By order of the Queen of Spain, priests began keeping a record of all the sacramental ordinances performed. The registers hold records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials and other ecclesiastical documents. Most often, the different types of ordinances are recorded separate volumes. Each record is written in narrative style, and in more recent years, they are handwritten in formatted records. The registers were created and kept by the priest. Later, as the church grew in numbers, the registers were kept at the parish, and a copy was sent to the diocesan archive for preservation.

Catholic priests established parishes starting in 1521. In 1527, the Roman Catholic Church established dioceses in Tlaxcala and Mexico City. It was only in the late 19th century that other religious groups began establishing congregations in Mexico.

Parishes were local congregations that may have included smaller villages within their boundaries. A large city may contain several parishes. The parishes had jurisdiction over both vice parishes (vice parroquias) and chapelries (feligresias). Multiple parishes (parroquias) were under the jurisdiction of a diocese. The highest level of local government in the Catholic Church is the archdiocese (arquidiócesis), which is made up of several dioceses.

In 1995, the Catholic Church in Mexico had 14 archdioceses; 58 dioceses; 5,345 parishes; and 1,611 chapelries (sub-parishes). Together they hold a great number of records.

Why the Record Was Created

Authorized Catholic priests created separate parish registers to record the church sacraments of baptism (bautismo), confirmation (confirmación), marriage (casamiento o matrimonio), and burial (defunción o entierro) at the parish level.

Record Reliability

Catholic Church parish registers are a reliable source of information for family history research, and the primary source for baptism, marriage, and death records in Mexico prior to 1859. Catholic Church parish records after 1859 can be used to complement information found in civil registers.

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